Until now, AMD’s plans for GPUs have been somewhat hazy. Apart from rumors and leaks, information about the Reds’ plans for their next RDNA 4-based graphics cards was limited. At the third-quarter earnings conference call with the financial community, AMD CEO Lisa SU announced that the launch of RDNA4 was scheduled for early 2025. This is the first time AMD has officially confirmed a start date.
Lisa SU officially confirms the imminent arrival of RDNA4 GPUs
In the gaming GPU sector, revenues have declined year-on-year as we prepare for a transition to our next-generation Radeon GPUs based on our RDNA 4 architecture. In addition to a sharp increase in gaming performance, RDNA 4 offers significantly better ray tracing performance and adds new AI capabilities. We’re on track to launch the first RDNA 4 GPUs in early 2025. Lisa Su
For the moment, we have it on good authority that AMD intends to offer a limited number of new references around RDNA 4. These will be built around two RDNA 4 chips: the larger Navi 48 and the smaller Navi 44. These two AMD RDNA 4 GPUs should give rise to at least two versions:
- Navi 48 SKU #1 – R24D-E8
- Navi 48 SKU #2 – R24D-E6
- Navi 44 SKU #1 – R25D-P8
- Navi 44 SKU #2 – R25D-P4
Even if we go back to the rumors now, RDNA 4 chips would be entrusted to TSMC and its 4nm process (one rumor mentions 3nm). Finally, AMD is said to have chosen to concentrate on the core gaming market, leaving aside the extreme/enthusiast target. A strategy which, if confirmed, could represent a certain danger for AMD. In fact, Intel will be arriving with a range that could target the low and mid-range, while Nvidia could target the mid-high and very high-end, letting its older generation “hang around” with more aggressive pricing. The danger of being caught in a pincer movement is therefore real, even if, as we’ve often said here, AMD’s game of liar’s poker has been pretty well mastered over the last few years.
CES 2025 and the first quarter of 2025 should be rich in announcements.
